MICHAEL Carrick is facing his first United-style run-in when matches arrive thick and fast.

The £18m midfielder sees it as a test of endurance he's determined to win.

"I suppose you could do without the added game. The fixture list is a bit cluttered at the moment. But it is part and parcel of it and we have to deal with it," he says.

"You don't want too many games. But if you want to win trophies then at times you have to go through these things and we will come out of it OK.

"What I have learned is that every game is important for United and you need the best rest you can get and recover because in the next game you can't be less than 100 per cent. That is the big challenge for me.

"The team spirit is unbelievable. You don't become a successful team just by playing pretty football every week. You have to grind out results and when things aren't going well you have to show character and we have done that in abundance in the last few weeks and I am sure we will show that in the coming weeks.

"At this stage it is all about winning. You want to be playing good football and winning well because it makes it a bit easier. But you have to dig in on occasions like we have done. Sometimes when you win that way you get more of a buzz than winning 4-0. It gives everyone a big lift like at Anfield.

"You have spells in seasons when you don't play your best football. We have played some great stuff this season and the last couple of weeks is the first time we have showed a different side of our game."

How has Michael Carrick developed in his time at United? Have your say.